Electrolytic decomposing gas generator



April 3, 1945.

B. KLEIN 2,373,032

ELECTROLYTIC DECOMPOSING GAS GENERATOR FLld June 29, 1942 27 25 g 37 )8 2 39 26 v m /4.o M e 7 33 32 I. 0 93 fi 67 3! v v v v k b (96 [a5 34 29 22 v 23 process;

Patented Apr. 3, 1945 ELECTROLYTIC DECOMPOSING GAS GENERATOR Bernard Klein, Baltimore. Md.

Application June 29, 1942. Serial No. 448,991

3 Claims.

This invention refers to fuels for internal combustion engines and more particularly to a method and device to be used in decomposing or extracting gases from liquids such as water and then arranging them for use as an explosive mixture in engines of the internal combustion type. It has among its objects to provide a device that will separate combustible gases from the liquid compounds having same chemically combined in them, as for example: oxygen and hydrogen from water, through an electrolytic eration. A further object is to provide a device that will automatically supply treated water or other liquid medium as needed for the device. A further object is to have the, device adaptable for adjustment by remote control or at a distant location remote from the operatoror user. It is a particular object of the invention to construct a self contained unit that can be applied to an internal combustion engine; and take relatively small space and'be attached thereto in a compact and attractive manner.

Other objects will become apparent as the invention is more fullyset forth.

There has been difliculty heretofore in employing the combustible gases of relatively inexpensive liquids, such as water. for power development, due to the cost of equipment, its cumbersome nature, and cost of operation. This invention is intended to relieve this situation by providing a simple manner for manufacturing ex plosive gases by decomposing same from liquids that are normally harmless and inexplosive.

A typical form of internal combustion engine furnished to propel an automobile, aircraft, boat or the like has fuel tank, carburetor, ignition The fuel consists of gasoline or other hydrocarbons that runs from the tank to the carburetor, a current of air is drawn over the liquid fuel, and takes up the vapor and mixes with the latter to form the explosive mixture, to operate the internal combustion engine. been found very satisfactory as long as a sufficient supply of gasoline or other fuel oil was Another object is to have the device This system has available to meet its needs. Under present conditions the demand .has increased and far exceeds the supply. Any additional system of fuel production that will be less costly and can use ingredients that can be found-readily at hand and not heretofore used for the purpose herein described affords attractive possibilities. In this invention the fuel tank will be filled with water to which has been added an electrolyte, usually sulphur trioxide or sulphuric acid to increase its conductivity so an electric current will pass through it. The fluid is then passed from the tank to the generating device by a pump, vacuum tank. gravity or whatever system for the fuel supply the vehicle may be equipped with. The device is preferably placed between the fuel tank and engine and used with the existing carburetor.

The device can be placed in the system conveniently, as it takes very little room, is of simple form, and has effective arrangement for attachment to the system. An important feature of the device is in the fact that it has arrangements for augmenting the supply of gas generated by the device. Another important feature of the device is that part of the gas generated may be used to replenish its respective auxiliary tube.

In the drawing which indicates a form of this invention:

Figure l is a diagrammatic view showing the various parts used to form a complete system embodying this invention,

. Figure 2 is a longitudinal view taken through the generator,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of Figure 2. and

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4- -4 of Figure 2.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawing.

In the drawing which indicates a water generator l, by way of example, a source of electricity 35 is employed for converting the water into oxygen and hydrogen gases. The generator is preferably of hollow cylindrical form, with its upper wall 2 supporting partitions 3 dividing the interior into two compartments 6 and 1, respectively, and with an intermediate chamber 60. A space 4, is left between the lower portion 50 of the Partition and the floor 5 of the generator as indicated in Figure 1. The liquid 8 to be processed is conducted to the bottom wall 5 into the generator through a pipe 9, connected with the liquid reservoir tank Ill. The end portions of the generator have screw threaded holes 5| and 52, into which insulators 53 and 54 respectively screw.

The insulator 53, holds the negative cathode terminal H, and insulator 54, the positive anode terminal l2. The insulators and terminals are water tight and are constructedto serve as stuffmg boxes. The terminals II and i2 project intocompartments 6 and I respectively, and contact the liquid residing therein. Electricity from a suitable source 35, feed the terminals when it is desired to decompose the liquid, which in this instance is water, into its component gases oxygen and hydrogen. The water is acidulated with sulphur trioxide (S03) or sulphuric acid (H2504) to improve its conductivity and electrolytic decomposition. the water, when the circuit 36 is operating, causes hydrogen gas to liberate at the cathode terminal I i and oxygen at the anode terminal It. This is usually indicated by bubbles forming and arising from the terminals. The hydrogen gas collects in the compartment 8 and rises above the water into the space it and flows out of the outlet 18 into piping that conducts it to a cylindcr when it is stored. Oxygen accumulating at terminal l2 passes into compartment 1 thence through the liquid into the space 11. From thence it passes into th piping 28. The piping is provided with check valves l9 and 3 3, fittings 20 and 39, carburetor 22,pipes 2t, 23, 2'1, 33, 28 and 39, valves 25, 29 and 31' as indicated in the drawing. for the operation is designated as Ed. A by-passconnection with conventionalaccessories is indicated to eliminate the carburetor as may be .into the space IS in chamber or compartment 6, and the oxygen from the anode terminal l2 into the compartment 1; the partition 3, serving to keep them apart and segregated. The space l allows the water to move freely from one compartment of the generator to the other. The

current also can pass through the water without obstruction by the partition. The partitions however mechanically prevent the hydrogen-and oxygen mixing with each other in the generator. Any tendency of either hydrogen or oxygen to stray outside of their respective compartments is prevented by the intermediate chamber fill which collects them. Such stray gases are re=- movable through an outlet pipe 65, provided for the purpose. The vibration of the generator under any use in the vehicle mentioned, will not be sufficient to mix the gases by reason of the partitions 3 and the intermediate chamber 60, functioning as described. Pumps 66 Or other conventional arrangement are utilized in the outlet piping l8 and 28, to force the hydrogen and oxygen respectively out of the compartments 6 and 1 through piping 2| and 39 to the mixer or carburetor 22 on their way to the engine 24, to be ignited by spark plugs 61 and ignition systom 88. The hydrogen and oxygen are preferably combined through the medium of the spark and in 'doing so explode powerfully. The explosion causes the engine pistons to reciprocate and operate the engine in the usual manner. Low pressure explosions can be induced'through a stoichiometric mixture of hydrogen and oxygen at a suitable ignition temperature. Ribs 12 provide expanding mechanical space and pre- The internal combustion engine used 0 The current passing into I vent the liquid from sloshing back and forth. In the operation of the device the tank It], is filled with water to which has been preferably added sulphur trioxide or sulphuric acid to increase its conductivity. The tank is located high enough so the liquid can run down into the generator I, by gravity, or supplied to the gas generator by the fuel pump or other lifting method which then exists in the automobile or other vehicle to which it is applied. The anode terminal I2 is connected to the positive side of an electric battery or other electric source, and the cathode H is connected to the negative side of the electric source. A switch 48 completes the electricalconnections and may be placed on the instrument board convenient to the operator. When the electric source is turned on by switch 46, bubbles will form around the cathode and anode terminals and will arise through the solution and be collected in their respective chambers or spaces. The valve 31 is opened and pump 66 started and allows gas to how through pipes 2| and check valve is into carburetor or other mixing device 22 which is opened or closed by lever 3.8. Oxygen flows from the space H, through check valve 34, fitting 30, pipe 28, pump 66, valve 28 and pipe 39 into the carburetor or other mixing device 22 where the hydrogen is properlymixed with air 40 or oxygen to give proper combustion, after which the mixed gases are conveyed to the internal combustion engine where they are ignited similarly to present day use of gasoline or fuel oil in internal combustion engines. An auxiliary cylinder 26 of hydrogen is attached to pipe 21, valve 25 all of which connect with fitting 20. An auxiliary cylinder 3!, of oxygen is attached to pipe 33, valve 32 and fitting 30. The tanks 26 and 3! are used to supplement the supply of gases developed by the generator, or may be used when it is desired to remove the generator from the lines for repairs etc. The generator can be constructed compactly and mounted close to the engine.

Lock nuts l4 provide for adjustment of electrodes and for attachment of electric wires thereto.

The generator itself is preferably of insulating material such as any well known plastic, in order to increase the efficiency of the generator and prevent conducting of electricity to the walls where the action would be slightly short circuit- The ribbed or corrugated bottom surface 5 serves to create an interruption in the movement of the molecules or ions energized to a breaking point by the electric current flowing from the electrodes l2 and l l respectively. The breaking point is that condition arising just prior to the separation of the water molecules (or other substances acted upon) into their atoms oxygen andhydrogen. The effect of thi curvilinear and obstructing construction seems to be that of a mechanical disturbance or collision to the flow of the ions, causing them to coliide more easily and induce separation of the atoms more quickly, than without it. This improves the efiectiveness of the generator and increases the efiiciencyof the process. The walls of the tank I are given their corrugated form inside to reduce the sloshing of the water in the lower portions, whilst the upper surfaces thereof serve to entrap the gases and induce them to deposit their particles of loose water thereon and cause the latter to drip back into the main body of .the water. This keeps the escaping gases relatively dry. The partitions the incoming water to appreciably disturb the level of the waterin the electrode chambers.

The chamber 60 acts as a cushion device.

While but one form of the invention is indicated in the drawing and described herein, it-is not desired to limit this application to that particular form or in any other way, otherwise than limited by the descriptions and claims, as it is appreciated that other forms and constructions could be embodied that would employ the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is;

1. A generator for automatic use and for decomposing water and segregating its component hydrogen and oxygen, comprising in combination a hollow cylindrical generator relatively long horizontally for holding water, having a plurality' of orifices therein said generator-having an internally corrugated form adapted to accumulate gases therein and drain same above and prevent sloshing of the water below, partition means in the interior of the generator extending through portion of same and arranged to divide same into compartmentsadapted to receive the hydrogen, oxygen and stray gases segregatively, from each other. a plurality of electric terminal horizon tally disposed and adjacent to the surface of the water projecting into'the cylinder through some of said orifices. said terminals being arranged to contact-the water in said cylinder for electrolyzing same when an electric current is passed from the terminal through the water, and to direct the hydrogen to flow to its compartment, the oxygen 'to its compartment, and stray gases to their compartment. means for removing the hydrogen, oxygen and stray gases separately, for conveying same away for use.

2. A generator for facilitating the decomposition and separation of hydrogen and oxygen resulting from the electrolysis of water, comprising in combination, a tank having its longitudinal dimension relatively long compared with its transverse dimension, and having its internal wall surface of corrugated form concentrically around same, so as to dampen any sloshing movement of water placed therein at a predetermined level to be electrolyzed and to induce entrapment of the said gases derived from the electrolysis in the portion above the water and facilitate the removal of moisture therefrom, partitions extending completely across the tank transversely with passages therethrough for the circulation of water therethrough but obstructing the gases from passing above same, said partitions being' arranged to divide the tank into compartments for the hydrogen, oxygen and stray gases separate from each other, and the conducting of water to be processed thereto, electrodes in walls of the compartments and separate from each other to facilitate the transmittal of the respective gases to their respective compartments, and outlets from the chambers for removing the respective gases therefrom.

3. A generator for facilitating the decomposition and separation of hydrogen and oxygen resulting from the electrolysis of water, comprising in combination, a tank having its longitudinal dimension relatively long compared with its transverse dimension, and having its internal wall surface of corrugated form concentrically around same, so as to dampen any sloshing movement of water to be electrolyzed placedtherein to a predetermined level and to induce entrapment of th said gases derived from the electrolysis in the portion above the water and facilitate the removal of moisture therefrom, partitions extending completely acros the tank transversely with passages therethrough for the circulation of water therethrough but obstructing the gases facilitate the transmittal of the respective gases to their respective compartments, and outlets from the chamber for removing the respective gases therefrom said compartment for the conducting of water to the tank being arranged with its partitions to contain a space above the water for the collection of air and other gases released therefrom independently separated from the oxygen and hydrogen so as to be segregated therefrom, an outlet in the last mentioned compartment for the removal of said air and gases therefrom, said electrodes being disposed within the tank so as to be wholly covered by the water at the predetermined level, and the water being conducted to the tank adjacent the bottom thereof and connections for the electrodes for tieing it into a circuit.

' BERNARD KLEIN. 

